Changes expected to the named Mayo and Galway starting teams

ALTHOUGH Mayo manager Stephen Rochford and his selectors yesterday announced their starting team to play Galway in the Connacht championship quarterfinal in Elverys MacHale Park, Castlebar on Sunday, the chances are it will not be the 15 that will actually start.

Indeed, it would come as no great surprise to see the Mayo management making at least two or three changes to their starting line-up before the 4 p.m. throw-in.

The Galway team was also announced on Thursday, and again it will be no surprise to see Kevin Walsh and selectors to making a few changes to their side shortly before the game starts. In fact, it is widely expected.

With regard to Mayo, the county's GAA  supporters have come to expect changes been made shortly before the throw in and the same thing wil happen on this occasion..

The big question floating about is will he go with Ger Cafferkey at full-back. I don't think he will and I feel Chris Barrett will come into defence.

The other change I see happening is Donal Vaughan starting instead of Cillian O'Connor. I don't think O'Connor is fully recovered from his injury.

Indeed, I always felt Vaughan might be used as a sweeper in front of the full-back for this important clash, especially to cope with the huge threat Damien Comer is going to pose.

Kevin Walsh is also expected to have changes to the team he announced before throw in. One of these changes might enforced as there are concerns in the Galway camp that full-back Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh might not be able to play due to injury.

This would be a big blow as the young red-haired full-back was outstanding throughout their National League campaign.

On the plus side for the Tribesmen is that another of their younger stars Eamon Brannigan is making rapid progress from his injury and wil probably play some part in Sunday's game.